Search

Aminopeptidase A (APA) plays an important role in the regulation of blood pressure by mediating angiotensin II degradation in the renin-angiotensin system. The Ca2+-induced modulation of enzymatic activity is the most characteristic feature of APA among the M1 family of aminopeptidases. In this study, we used site-directed mutagenesis for any residues responsible for the Ca2+ modulation of human APA. Alignment of sequences of the M1 family members led to the identification of Asp-221 as a significant residue of APA among the family members, Replacement of Asp-221 with Asn or Gln resulted in a loss of Ca2+ responsiveness toward synthetic substrates. These enzymes were also unresponsive to Ca2± when peptide hormones, such as angiotensin II, cholecystokinin-8, neurokinin B, and kallidin, were employed as substrates. These results suggest that the neg- ative charge of Asp-221 is essential for Ca2+ modulation of the enzymatic activity of APA and causes preferential cleavage of acidic amino acid at the N-terminal end of substrate peptides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laeverin/aminopeptidase Q (APQ) is a cell surface protein specifically expressed on human embryo-derived extravillous trophoblasts that invades the uterus during placentation. The cDNA cloning of Laeverin/APQ revealed that the sequence encodes a protein with 990 amino acid residues, and Laeverin/APQ contains the HEXXHX18E gluzincin motif, which is characteristic of the M1 family of aminopeptidases, although the exopeptidase motif of the family, GAMEN, is uniquely substituted for the HAMEN sequence. In this study, we expressed a recombinant human Laeverin/APQ using a baculovirus expression system, purified to homogeneity, and characterized its enzymatic properties. It was found that Laeverin/APQ had a broad substrate specificity toward synthetic substrate, although it showed a preference for Leu-4-methylcoumaryl-7-amide. Searching natural substrates, we found that Laeverin/APQ was able to cleave the N-terminal amino acid of several peptides such as angiotensin III, kisspeptin-10, and endokinin C, which are abundantly expressed in the placenta. In contrast to the case with other M1 aminopeptidases, bestatin inhibited the aminopeptidase activity of Laeverin/APQ much more effectively than other known aminopeptidase inhibitors. These results indicate that Laeverin/APQ is a novel bestatin-sensitive leucine aminopeptidase and suggest that the enzyme plays important roles in human placentation by regulating biological activity of key peptides at the embryo-maternal interface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study we report the cloning and characterization of a novel human aminopeptidase, which we designate leukocyte-derived arginine aminopeptidase (LRAP). The sequence encodes a 960-amino acid protein with significant homology to placental leucine aminopeptidase and adipocyte-derived leucine aminopeptidase. The predicted L-RAP contains the HEXXH(X)[sub 18]E zinc-binding motif, which is characteristic of the MI family of zinc metallopeptidases. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that L-RAP forms a distinct subfamily with placental leucine aminopeptidase and adipocyte-derived leucine aminopeptidase in the MI family. Immunocytochemical analysis indicates that L-RAP is located in the lumenal side of the endoplasmic reticulum. Among various synthetic substrates tested, L-RAP revealed a preference for arginine, establishing that the enzyme is a novel arginine aminopeptidase with restricted substrate specificity. In addition to natural hormones such as angiotensin III and kallidin, L-RAP cleaved various N-terminal extended precursors to major histocompatibility complex class I-presented antigenic peptides. Like other proteins involved in antigen presentation, L-RAP is induced by interferon-γ. These results indicate that L-RAP is a novel aminopeptidase that can trim the N-terminal extended precursors to antigenic peptides in the endoplasmic reticulum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the article "Isolation, Structure Elucidation, and Total Synthesis of Tryptopeptins A and B, New TGF-β Signaling Modulators from Streptomyces sp." by Yuta Tsunematsu, Shinichi Nishimura, Akira Hattori, Shinya Oishi, Nobutaka Fujii, Hideaki Kakeya.

Abstract: Background: Aminopeptidase B (EC 3.4.11.6, APB) preferentially hydrolyzes N-terminal basic amino acids of synthetic and peptide substrates. APB is involved in the production and maturation of peptide hormones and neurotransmitters such as miniglucagon, cholecystokinin and enkephalin by cleaving N-terminal basic amino acids in extended precursor proteins. Therefore, the specificity for basic amino acids is crucial for the biological function of APB. Methods: Site-directed mutagenesis and molecular modeling of the S1 site were used to identify amino acid residues of the human APB responsible for the basic amino acid preference and enzymatic efficiency. Results: Substitution of Gln169 with Asn caused a significant decrease in hydrolytic activity toward the fluorescent substrate Lys-4-methylcoumaryl-7-amide (MCA). Substantial retardation of enzyme activity was observed toward Arg-MCA and substitution with Glu caused complete loss of enzymatic activity of APB. Substitution with Asn led to an increase in IC50 values of inhibitors that interact with the catalytic pocket of APB. The EC50 value of chloride ion binding was also found to increase with the Asn mutant. Gln169 was required for maximal cleavage of the peptide substrates. Molecular modeling suggested that interaction of Gln169 with the N-terminal Arg residue of the substrate could be bridged by a chloride anion. Conclusion: Gln169 is crucial for obtaining optimal enzymatic activity and the unique basic amino acid preference of APB via maintaining the appropriate catalytic pocket structure and thus for its function as a processing enzyme of peptide hormones and neurotransmitters. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Tumescenamide C, a new cyclic lipodepsipeptide, was isolated from a culture broth of an actinomycete Streptomyces sp. KUSC_F05. Tumescenamide C was a congener of tumescenamides A and B, representing a sixteen-membered ring system, consisting of two proteinogenic and three non-proteinogenic amino acids, to which a methyl-branched fatty acid was attached. The planar structure was determined by spectroscopic analysis, while its absolute stereochemistry was determined by chemical degradation and asymmetric synthesis. Tumescenamide C exhibited antimicrobial activity with high selectivity against Streptomyces species. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The absolute stereochemistry of the title compound is determined and its inhibitory activity in hypoxia inducible factor-1 assays is examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]